Psoriasis and Bathing - good or bad?

Question

A friend of mine has psoriasis over 70% of his body. He rarely bathes (once every six weeks or so) and never showers, although he does wash his face and armpits every now and then. Needless to say, he smells weird - but I wonder just how much of a detrimental effect he's having on the psoriasis by not keeping his skin clean??

Answer 1

I suffer from severe psoriasis and its never stopped me from taking a bath...there are many creams or oils that your friend could try using in his bath...its a case of trial and error to find out what works best for you.

Coal tar based oils often worked well for me, but I ended up hating the tarry smell, but there's plenty of other options around nowadays...dead sea salt is another option for starters.

Also there are creams etc that you can use after a bath to sooth the skin...

I've included a few links under 'sources' that your friend may want to look at.

Answer 2

I had a 13 year history of psoriasis, though I was in good health otherwise. But these severe large, thick and scaly excoriated plaques on my neck, ears, trunk and limbs ruined the way I was leading my life. I would be with red, inflamed itchy skin for most part of the year and these silvery scales would seem to be erupting without any reason. To make matters worse, blisters would appear over already red and itching skin. It was living hell.

I was treated with various options but nothing seemed to be working. Some of the treatments that I underwent in this depressing period of 13 years included tar preparation, tropical steroids and anthralin. I was also given light therapy many times but everything I tried would give me temporary relief.

And soon, after a few days I would be plagued with the situation again. In one of those moments when I was completely lost I stumbled upon this website just by chance. I read it and felt that as if someone had put the story my life on this web page. I was thoroughly convinced that if ANYONE can cure me of condition, it would be you.

And was I right, or what. I started recovering within 3 days of starting this treatment. Something that had become a painful part of me for 13 years was actually getting healed! My ears are healed and my neck is smooth again!. I am a month into the treatment and I have never felt better in my life!

Psoriasis Revolution?

Answer 3

i have psoriasis all over my body and wash all the time. i think it helps to remvove the dead skin and when your skin is soft you can rub it a bit harder(which is lovely) i never use scented products in the bath this can make you itch like mad and my skin can some times be very dry after (this could be why he dose not like to wash)but i use baby lotion, plus crams reconmenced by my doctor one of which clears it away but you can only use this for 2 weeks then leave it a month or more. i think him not washing is certainly not do his skin condition any good. this is a horrilble thing to have i have had it since i was 15 and people can be very cruel!!! get him to put E45 bath loition in the bath(you can buy this over the counter) and just lie in it for a while and his skin will be very soft.Drinking to much can also make the psoriasis worse. hope this helps, all the best, Liz

Answer 4

He should be taking a long soak in the bath with products that are not too harsh for his skin. By soaking for a few hours once or twice a week, that will loosen the "scales" and it will make easier for the ointment or cream to penetrate the skin. A good Dermatoligist (sp) can help him find the right coarse of treatment. A family member of mine takes methotrexate and it has helped alot. Methotrexate is usually a cancer med, but is also used for psoriasis. Good luck and good on ya for trying to help your friend.

Answer 5

I have psoriasis, although nowhere near as bad as your friend. I always find that when I've had a bath or shower and then apply my cream straight away, it makes a huge difference. Of course, I only have a few small areas to cream up, not 70? of my body, and even then sometimes don't use the cream - I hate it - everything gets covered in cream - clothes, bedding etc. If I had that much skin to treat - I probably wouldn't do it everytime either.

Has he tried asking his gp to refer him to a dermatologist? They have various ways of treating psoriasis, including special baths.

Good luck.

Answer 6

If you have ever suffered with psoriasis you know the struggles of searching out relief. There are pricy over-the-counter products or prescription medications that may offer temporary relief. There are also quite a few natural cures for dealing with psoriasis.


You can find many interesting tips on this site http://psoriasis.toptips.org

Answer 7

TELL HIM TO BATHE FIRST.....and do a favor to others !!
Try this for 10 days... IT WORKS WONDERS ON PSORIASIS..
Drink 2 litres of water(including 2 glassses of lemon juice) everyday
No Coffee. No Aerated drinks. No Sweeteners.
Take less Sugar.
Eat Watermelon, apples, oranges & green grapes.
Take1 Omega 3 capsule daily.

Answer 8

you know what...regardless of what skin condition this person has he needs to wash his body full stop...imagine the germs
never mind having this condition ... i once saw a documentary
about doctor fish(I'm sure that's what they were called) they eat the dead skin from people who have psoriasis...

people from all over the world would visit the fish by getting in the rock pool while the fish just nibbled away without causing any harm..these fish actually cured the problem .you could go ogle it i guess let your friend know

AND TELL HIM TO WASH

Answer 9

Your friend can bathe but must bathe in an emolient substance such as diprobase or aqueous cream. the trouble is with psoriasis that if you knock off any of the plaques of overgrown skin more will grow.

I hope you can resolve the "smell" thing!!

Answer 10

showers wont harm. it would even make the patches softer!